Have you ever encountered a “no cmake_cxx_compiler could be found” error while working with CMake? This error can be frustrating, especially if you’re new to CMake. Don’t worry, in this article, we’ll explain what causes this error and how you can fix it.
What is CMake?
CMake is an open-source, cross-platform tool for building, testing, and packaging software. It generates build files for various compilers, such as Visual Studio, GNU Make, and Xcode. CMake uses CMakeLists.txt files to describe the source code, libraries, and dependencies of a project.
What does the “no cmake_cxx_compiler could be found” error mean?
The “no cmake_cxx_compiler could be found” error means that CMake cannot find a C++ compiler on your system. CMake needs a C++ compiler to generate build files for your project. If CMake cannot find a C++ compiler, it cannot generate build files, and you cannot build your project.
What causes the “no cmake_cxx_compiler could be found” error?
There are several reasons why you might encounter the “no cmake_cxx_compiler could be found” error:
- You have not installed a C++ compiler on your system.
- You have not added the C++ compiler to your system’s path.
- You have installed a C++ compiler, but it is not compatible with CMake.
- Your C++ compiler installation is broken or incomplete.
How to fix the “no cmake_cxx_compiler could be found” error?
Now that you know what causes the “no cmake_cxx_compiler could be found” error, let’s see how you can fix it.
1. Install a C++ compiler
The first step to fixing the “no cmake_cxx_compiler could be found” error is to install a C++ compiler on your system. The most popular C++ compilers are GCC, Clang, and Visual C++. You can download and install them from the following links:
2. Add the C++ compiler to your system’s path
After installing the C++ compiler, you need to add it to your system’s path. The path is a list of directories that your system searches for executables when you run a command. To add the C++ compiler to your system’s path:
- Open the Start menu and search for “Environment Variables”.
- Click on “Edit the system environment variables”.
- Click on “Environment Variables”.
- Under “System Variables”, find the “Path” variable and click “Edit”.
- Add the directory where the C++ compiler is installed to the “Path” variable. For example, if you installed GCC in C:\MinGW\bin, add “;C:\MinGW\bin” to the end of the “Path” variable.
- Click “OK” to save your changes.
3. Make sure your C++ compiler is compatible with CMake
Not all C++ compilers are compatible with CMake. Make sure that the C++ compiler you installed is compatible with CMake. The CMake documentation lists the supported compilers and their versions.
4. Check your C++ compiler installation
If you’ve installed a C++ compiler, added it to your system’s path, and made sure it’s compatible with CMake, but you’re still encountering the “no cmake_cxx_compiler could be found” error, your C++ compiler installation might be broken or incomplete.
Check your C++ compiler installation by running the following command in a terminal:
{compiler} --versionReplace {compiler} with the name of your C++ compiler. For example, if you installed GCC, run:
gcc --versionIf the command returns an error or a version number that is not the expected version, your C++ compiler installation is broken or incomplete. Try reinstalling the C++ compiler.
Conclusion
The “no cmake_cxx_compiler could be found” error can be frustrating, but it’s usually easy to fix. Make sure you’ve installed a compatible C++ compiler, added it to your system’s path, and checked your installation. With these steps, you should be able to generate build files with CMake and build your project.